Berlin Man Charged After Explosives Found In Basement: Police

BERLIN, CT — A local man has been charged by state police for illegally storing large quantities of fireworks and explosives in his home.

Connecticut State Police Tuesday said Richard Valuk, 47, of Berlin, was charged following an investigation that started with a medical emergency last February and ended Sept. 6 in police custody.

Valuk, police said, was charged with risk of injury to a child; illegal possession of explosives; illegal procurement/transport of explosives; and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Investigators applied for a warrant for the arrest of Valuk, which was granted Aug. 28.

On Sept. 6, after learning of the active warrant for his arrest, Valuk turned himself in at Troop H in Hartford, police said.

Police said Valuk was held on a $100,000 cash/surety bond and transported to New Britain Superior Court for a same-day arraignment.

According to a lengthy state police release, the situation started on Feb. 2 when, at about 9:10 a.m., the Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit was assigned to assist the Berlin Police Department with an investigation at a residence.

Police said the investigating trooper met with the Berlin Fire Marshal and members of the Berlin Police Department.

The Trooper learned at approximately 12:35 a.m. that morning, Berlin officers were dispatched to a residence to assist EMS personnel with an adult male experiencing a medical issue, police said.

The complainant who requested the EMS response was another adult resident at the address.

The male patient was later identified Valuk.

Police said they learned three juveniles were present at residence at the time of this incident, in which Valuk was transported to an area hospital by ambulance for medical treatment.

While at the scene, Berlin police learned of the possible presence of fireworks and/or explosive materials within the home, police said, prompting a call to state officials.

Upon entering the basement of Valuk’s residence, state police found a large cache of fireworks/explosives.

According to police, all of the fireworks/explosives stored in the basement were classified as illegal in the State of Connecticut, including illegal commercial and consumer grade fireworks.

Police said Valuk possessed a valid State of Connecticut Certificate of Competency to Display Fireworks, but did not possess the permit required to legally store the types of items observed by investigators.

State [olice seized all of the illegal fireworks/explosives, which were transported from the scene by the state bomb squad.

Police said Valuk said, as part of his employment, his truck was used to transport equipment, trash and debris to and from fireworks displays.

According to Valuk, he believed some of the illegal fireworks were accidentally put into his truck and he was unaware they were there until he began cleaning his truck out at his home, police said.

According to Valuk, upon discovering the fireworks in his truck, he put them in an area of his basement, which is typically locked, according to police.

At the time of this investigation, Valuk did not possess a license or permit for the storage, use or transport of explosives, police said.

According to police, the cache of explosives was accessible to anyone inside of the residence.

Additionally, they were not stored in a proper manner and the storage area was not in compliance with state and federal regulations for the storage of explosives such as commercial display fireworks, police said.

Police said such fireworks would have caused a major safety problem in the event of a fire or explosion at the residence.

They said it "would have posed a significant threat to human life and property based upon the amount of fireworks in an unprotected environment which lacked fire safety precautions and hazardous materials notifications to first responders in the event of an emergency."

For the Connecticut State Police news page, including the full news release, click on this link.